Argues for the continuation of competitive drama programs on the grounds that competition increases quality, and success fosters enthusiasm and support from students and community alike. (JMF)

Presents viewpoints on the educational value of music competition for young children. Includes arguments for and against contests. Considerations include purpose of the competition, and experience and preparation of the students, as well as structure and environment of the competition. (LS)

One of the most important educational objectives of high school is to teach critical-thinking skills, and no class does this better than strategic debate. Professor Mike Allen, lead author in a definitive study on debate and critical thinking, lauded debate's promotion of critical-thinking skills. Additionally, researcher Joe Bellon discusses the…

The priorities regarding extracurricular activities are seriously distorted. For example, yearbooks, like sports, are becoming too expensive, time consuming, and mere public relations tools. Education and student enjoyment should be the first priorities for extracurricular activities. (SK)

Urges the inclusion of the speech to stimulate--"epideictic oratory"--as a standard contest category in tournaments. (PD)

Describes a memorable year in the life of a high school drama coach and his 17-member acting troupe. (RBW)

This document describes Indiana's experience with the National History Day program, explores the potential for historical agency involvement, and presents partial results of a survey conducted of History Day coordinators in the state. Indiana History Day was established at the Social Studies Development Center and Indiana University (Bloomington)…

Offers suggestions for meeting problems in urban school systems of providing rigorous and extended academic programs while offering other activities to meet social and psychological needs of students. Discusses possible solutions, such as: (1) camping; (2) apprenticeships; (3) using community resources; and (4) building the school into a…

Theme articles focus on FFA (Future Farmers of America) conventions and contests. They examine FFA as an extracurricular versus intracurricular activity, keeping competition in perspective, contests as student motivators, how a sponsor views FFA, improving the teaching of leadership, benefits of FFA participation, the needs of disadvantaged and…

Describes a competition involving political science honors students in which teams from Miami and Purdue universities prepared and delivered papers taking opposing positions on contemporary topics. Reviews the benefits of the project for students and their teachers and suggests ways similar benefits can be achieved using a student cluster approach…

The application of the principles of intramural athletic competition to stimulate outstanding academic performance is discussed in this paper. The implementation of an academic intramural competition based on student diversity, immediate recognition, fun, and meaningful prizes in a Texas high school is described. The program is based on the tenet…

Maintains that from kindergarten throught grade 12 students are bombarded by contests. Asserts that art teachers are asked to juggle learning objectives to meet criteria of the most recent contests. Provides recommendations for art teachers faced with decisions about participation in contests and other competitive programs. (CFR)

A high school vocational education teacher who customarily had students participate in cocurricular competition through the Future Farmers of America examined students' feelings about competition. Students revealed that winning was not the only important factor, though they wanted to feel well-prepared before competing. They appreciated the…

Contends that an obsession for competition has permeated all aspects of society, including the artistic environment. Maintains that competition works against creativity and individual development. Recommends eliminating music contests and other competitive practices at the school and college levels. (CFR)

Excerpts from the National Collegiate Athletic Association Presidents' Commission policy paper on intercollegiate athletics reform address such issues as the college experience of athletes, awarding of student financial aid, eligibility, the effects of competition, recruitment policies, program effects on institutions as well as athletes, and…